Lilavaikaha

Author(s): K R Chandra, Ramniklal M Shah
Publisher: Prakrit Text Society Ahmedabad

Page 88

Lilavat-Kaha of Kouhala
685. (As if) ravaged by some wicked Brahma-rakṣasa and with its great beauty completely disappeared, why is this house deserted by Madhavilata to-day?
686. Or, enough of this evil guessing here; let me go to Keralacity; there I will (come to) know all about this".
687. Thinking thus I came to the (main) entrance of the Keralacity. There I heard cries of woe so painful to hear. 688. Then, ignoring my sinking heart (or, with great anxiety in my sinking heart) I approached a street-guard and asked in a hushed voice in fear
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'Good man why is being heard in your city, this unbearable sound of the cries of people, which overpowers the well-wishers (lit. relatives) with very great sorrow ?" And he said, "Noble lady! our noble prince, at the evil night-time was unfortunately sitting all alone in the Vidya--Bhavan;
and he was abducted from the Malaya-mountain some. where by some of our wicked, cruel enemies, devoid of Punya that we are!
Malayānila also searched (for him) for a long time, and, with his mind apprehensive on account of his great love for his dear son, he swooned as also his wife.
On coming to senses (lit. at the end of the swoon) they remembered all his virtues, and with great anxiety (they) cried so (piteously) that even the elephants in the forest of Malaya forgot (to join) their herds.
694-695. (They cried-) "Oh dear Madhavanila! Oh child! you, of incomparable beauty (or, behaviour), Oh ocean of jewel-like virtues ! Oh you, shying away from immodesty, how will you be seen by me again, playing on the Malaya-mountain along with your intelligent friends, praised by the good!"
696. Lamenting like this and much more for a long time, the king said (to his wife), "Come, my dear 1 What is the use of this house-holder's life in this old age ?.